Alberta Health Services halts plan to reduce patient food, drinks after pushback

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The Alberta Department of Health Services chief said the agency is stopping the proposed food reduction policy after it publicly protested patients who may have been cut off snacks and drinks.

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Andre Tremblay, the agency’s interim president and CEO, said the policy is scheduled to take effect on Tuesday to change how food is stored and delivered to reduce waste — rather than depriving patients of food.

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“We are concerned about misunderstandings about this proposed policy and are studying reports that patients may not be able to use food and beverages. We remain focused on providing high-quality care to all Alberta and providing high-quality care when needed,” Tremblay said in a press release.

Amanda Moppett-Beatch’s 11-year-old son, who has undergone regular outpatient cancer treatments including lumbar punctures, told Canadian news reports, such as Ginger Ale, that provide him with essential relief.

“When he wakes up, he can get an IV so that he can sit up and have a drink,” she said.

She added that with all the chemotherapy some kids receive, they can hardly stand anything, whether it’s a kid who just needs to bite a cookie or a tired teenager.

“As families of oncology, we are tired and we are exhausted,” she said.

She said a nurse told her last week that families need to start packing their own snacks.

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“It’s essential for these kids, it’s a little bit of happiness,” Moppett-Beatch said.

She said she hopes AHS will never implement the policy, but is still worried that it may appear, bringing patients from oncology clinics to emergency departments without essentials.

“I’m worried-what else will they try to take away?”

United Conservative Prime Minister Danielle Smith said in an unrelated announcement on Tuesday that the intention of the AHS policy initially decided in September was “lost in translation.”

“This is a misunderstanding and misunderstanding of the policy direction since then.”

Smith said Health Secretary Adriana Lagrange called the AHS and would get stuck at the bottom of the problem once she heard reports of snacks and drinks being retained.

The agency’s reversal comes after an internal memorandum on March 17 announced online changes “changes in food supply to emergency departments and non-ill patients.”

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In the emergency room starting April 1, it said, “based on clinical needs, the website will be provided with a list of reduced essential nutrients.” The meal tray can still accommodate hospitalized patients.

The memo also stated that the institution’s patient food service will no longer provide food to non-hospital areas, including diagnostic imaging, endoscopy and IV clinics. There will be exemptions, including day surgery patients.

It said: “Clinics are encouraged to remind patients to bring snacks, meals or money for food purchases and reminders that food in appointment communications may help patients prepare accordingly.”

Emergency room doctor and former head of the Alberta Medical Association, Dr. Paul Parks, posted a copy to social media on March 23, saying many patients can spend a few days in the emergency room before being admitted.

“What are we doing in Alberta? Is this how do we treat older people in (emergency wards)? Or how do we treat our (patients) in our (emergency wards) to unacceptable patients (patients)?” he wrote.

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On Tuesday, the AHS did not provide Canadian media with the expenses they hope to save through initiative.

AHS spokesman Christine Myatt said in an email that it is too early to communicate with patients or their families about the potential impact of program policies.

“The memorandum clearly states that patient care is our top priority and that food will be provided according to clinical needs. The purpose of this policy is by no means retaining items like popsicles or ginger beer that are needed to support care,” Myatt said.

Opposition New Democratic health critic Sarah Hoffman said it was cruel to take the popsicle and juice boxes from the children who were medically treated, but not just popsicle.

“It’s about providing food to fasting people, and people are stuck in the emergency room and they may not bring money to the food,” she said in a statement.

She blamed Smith’s UCP, saying the move was part of a larger trend in the administration.

“Come on something horrible and then take it back a little when the public realizes how bad it is,” she said.

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